Last week, the upper school held its annual Student Organization Fair, during which more than 90 student clubs and organizations set up tables, demonstrating to students the many options and interests available.

The Film Club, one of the many special interest options available, seeks to encourage more interest in the art of film in multiple ways. “I personally believe that films are a very effective way for people to learn more about the world as well as themselves,” said senior Ethan Guan, a Film Club representative. Students can join to appreciate films that the club selects every year and to learn more about making their own films, offering students “the opportunity to get more into the creative side of things, to be a director, screenwriter or a cinematographer themselves,” Guan said.

Another option open to creatives is the Harker Radio, a new podcasting club which helps students create and publish their own podcasts. “With us, any student who wants to express themselves creatively is free to create their very own podcast and get it onto Spotify,” said Lindsay Li, grade 11. The club is advised by business teacher Patrick Kelly, who has created multiple successful podcasts and YouTube channels. “Students are free to make either a video podcast…or they can just have pure audio podcasts,” Li said.

Several affinity groups also tabled at the event. Senior Norah Mehanna, co-president of the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), said the group provides a place for students of Middle Eastern cultures to “com together and connect and talk about certain issues, if they need to, and laugh about certain things when they want to.” Their table included a map-based game where passersby could try their hand at identifying Middle Eastern nations. “The Middle East is extremely diverse…and we want to embrace our Middle Eastern heritage as much as we can,” Mehanna said.

The mission of the Transgender Affinity Group, said senior Fern Biswas, is to provide a place for upper school transgender students to meet and discuss their experiences. “I formed the Transgender Affinity Group a few years ago when I noticed that…trans individuals needed a space to feel comfortable in themselves and not constantly need to explain their identities,” said senior Fern Biswas. “And being non-binary myself, I felt the same need and I realized that being able to form and find and connect with the community that was able to understand the basics of my identity…was vital to my own mental health.”